Legendary New Zealand cricketer Stephen Fleming has thrown his weight behind Shivam Dube as a potential X-factor for India in their upcoming T20 World Cup semi-final clash against England on June 27. Fleming also lauded the Indian team management's strategic use of their lineup throughout the tournament. However, he sees Dube as a hidden weapon, particularly if the pitch in Guyana ends up favoring spin bowlers. While Dube's stats haven't been eye-catching so far as he has scored only 106 runs with an average of 26.50 and a strike rate of 107.07. Fleming emphasised his potential to shift the momentum with his aggressive batting style. The former New Zealand captain believes Dube has the ability to score quickly and turn the tide of the match, potentially becoming a match-winner for India.
"Just short of one sort of 40 or 50 or 60 at that high strike rate, but he has come with the right intent, which is important. He has the ability to hit sixes and change games. So if it's spin-friendly, then he's definitely going to be a weapon. I really like the way they've used him. He's put in there between some fine players; he has that role to be aggressive. And Hardik Pandya, who's in form as well, you can then have a good crack because he's a match-winner," Fleming said.
Current Chennai Super Kings coach, Stephen Fleming, believes Shivam Dube holds the potential to be a game-changer for India in the T20 World Cup. Fleming suggests that if Dube performs exceptionally in a key match or two, he could be the difference between India winning or losing the tournament.
Fleming acknowledges that Dube's effectiveness relies on the team's overall performance. When other players are contributing consistently, it creates space for Dube's aggressive batting style to be integrated more seamlessly into the lineup. This flexibility, combined with Dube's ability to explode with a match-winning performance, makes him a valuable asset for India.
"And you've got close to two games left in the tournament. If he has one or two days out, then you win the tournament. So that's a nice, mouthwatering position of a person to have in your lineup, especially when the people around them are playing well. If you're a little bit cold either side, then it can sometimes be a problem, but it's pretty good form all the way through that Indian lineup, so therefore he can be accommodated, and he can also be playing that role where potentially he could win the match," Fleming added.
Despite Shivam Dube's underwhelming performances throughout the tournament, the Indian team management has kept faith in him. This trust paid off, as India dominated the group stage, winning all three completed matches before rain washed out the final group game. Captain Rohit Sharma's leadership continued to shine in the Super Eights, where India maintained their winning streak. Victories over Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia secured their spot in the semi-finals, finishing top of Group 1. They will now face England in a crucial encounter at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday, June 27.
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